California under life-threatening flood threat after heavy rain. Southern California finds itself grappling with the aftermath of heavy rain and flash flooding.
Governor Gavin Newsom has taken swift action, declaring a state of emergency in eight counties, including populous areas such as Los Angeles and Orange County.
Local jurisdictions, including Los Angeles and San Bernardino County, have also declared their own states of emergency in response to the weather crisis.
Lindsey P Horvath, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, underscored the proactive measures being implemented to protect communities during the storm and to expedite recovery efforts in the aftermath of any potential impacts.
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The gravity of the flooding situation has elevated the risk for over 11 million Californians, exposing them to potentially life-threatening flood conditions.
Forecasts indicate that parts of the Los Angeles area could receive an extraordinary amount of rain, nearly equivalent to half a year’s worth, by Tuesday.
The severe weather, coupled with strong winds, has resulted in power outages affecting over 900,000 customers in California.
Atmospheric rivers, expansive conduits of moisture, draw warm, moist air from the tropics, unleashing substantial rainfall and snow over land.
While these phenomena are typical on the West Coast during winter and contribute crucial precipitation for water supplies, the excessive rainfall associated with intense atmospheric rivers can heighten flood risks.
This is particularly concerning when successive storms occur with limited intervals for the land to dry out.
The recent atmospheric river shattered multiple rainfall records across California, leading to road closures and water rescues.
As California under life-threatening flood threat after heavy rain, beyond the West Coast, these weather phenomena can impact regions in the eastern United States and are frequent occurrences in parts of Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
